In post-game remarks about Gretzky's trade from the Los Angeles Kings to the St. Louis Blues, Fischler said: "First of all, Wayne Gretzky is already overpaid; they're going to overpay him even more. Secondly, Wayne Gretzky is over the hill, even though he's getting the points for L.A. He's done nothing for the Kings. He is not a team player."

He added: "More and more people are saying that no team should have touched him. Wayne Gretzky certainly doesn't know how to backcheck."

Fischler's anti-Gretzky volleys are not new; he has lobbed them for a while, but he has tossed more this season. On the NewSport network's "NewSportalk" program Monday, Fischler labeled Gretzky "a wimp" who needs on-ice protection.

Those remarks moved the MSG Network's John Davidson and Sam Rosen to take issue with Fischler during the third period of Tuesday night's Capitals-Rangers game.

"I respect Stan's knowledge of the history of the sport, but to rip Wayne Gretzky like that, I have to very strongly disagree," Davidson said.

Rosen said: "He's done too much for the sport to get any kind of ripping like that. He's been a very gracious person with this sport."

Yesterday, Davidson said in an interview: "Stan's always getting people's blood boiling. He's got enough guts to say things. I think he says things just to get a reaction. But it's important to be respectful."

Is this the start of a feud? "I hope not," Rosen said. "I respect Stan. So does John. But you get taken aback by a position, you have to respond."

The often-outspoken Bob Page, who is host for MSG's "SportsDesk" studio show, said, "What Stan said was out of bounds and distasteful."

Fischler is reveling in the attention generated by his remarks. "It's fun," he said. "This is great fodder if it's backed up with logic."

His logic? Various team officials telling him Gretzky is "washed up" and "only out for himself," and reporters writing similar things.

"There are two schools of thought on Gretzky," Fischler said. "It's top heavy in his favor. One is his numbers. The other is his propaganda ministry. There is a tendency only to see his good side, but there is growing evidence of the other side."